It was one of many defining pictures of a whole lot that flooded onto social media after Liverpool have been topped FA Cup winners on Saturday.
The image in query concerned James Milner, through the penalty shootout drama, intentionally turning his again to the motion that was occurring down the Chelsea finish and as an alternative trying straight in the direction of the Liverpool supporters, biting their fingernails and protecting their eyes because the spot-kicks passed off.
To Milner’s proper was Kostas Tsimikas slotting dwelling the all-important successful spot-kick; the one which introduced Liverpool victory and an eighth FA Cup.
Milner, after over 800 senior video games and almost 300 for the Reds, has seen all of it in his 20-year profession. He can be forgiven for being slightly blase concerning the success that continues to greet him in his mid-to-late 30s, however the versatile veteran is clearly decided to get pleasure from them as a lot as ever.
“I wished to observe our followers’ response,” he says of the choice to show his again for the decisive penalty. “I had religion in Kostas, I do know he’s bought a wand of a left foot.
“Clearly you’re nervous, as a result of there’s probability it could possibly be over, however what number of occasions do you get to play at Wembley and expertise that?”
The FA Cup completes the set for Milner at Anfield, having already lifted the League Cup, Champions League, Premier League and Membership World Cup, however the vice-captain, who’s now 36, had a message for somebody on the different finish of his footballing journey at Anfield in 23-year-old Trent Alexander-Arnold.
“I mentioned to Trent after the sport: ‘Your cupboard is fairly full, however don’t become bored with it!’
“What an unimaginable participant he’s, however he’s fortunate that he’s come right into a workforce that’s so good. He deserves it due to how good a participant he’s, however you by no means know when issues are going to alter, so it’s important to get pleasure from it whereas it’s right here.”
Milner opens up on the way it felt after successful the FA Cup ultimate with Liverpool
So, how did it really feel as soon as the successful penalty had been dispatched previous Edouard Mendy?
“Wonderful!” he says. “You see everybody experiencing what you’re feeling your self; reduction, pleasure, every little thing. It’s a particular group of gamers and a particular group of individuals to share this stuff with within the dressing room after the sport.”
“I went into the dressing room afterwards and all of the lads have been straight on their telephones. I used to be like: ‘we’ve simply gained the FA Cup!’
“You get 40-50 messages to cope with, it is nice to see the households, the children with the medals spherical their necks. It’s very particular. You’re very fortunate to play in any ultimate, you’re fortunate to be a footballer within the first place, and to play in finals and win 10 medals. For those who mentioned that firstly of my profession, I’d have taken it.”
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Liverpool are again in motion on Tuesday once they face Southampton away from dwelling within the Premier League.
